Help with ID of this part from 85 Mac 25

[Seadoc]

See attached pix.

This stainless steel strap is from my 1985 Mac 25. I have a pre-removal picture which shows the partial view but not where the short arm attaches.

This is one of those cases where I neglected to take a more thorough pic before removal. (My bad!)

It came from the lower, in-board area of the after bulkhead in the head. The original bulkhead has the two holes which match those in the long arm of the piece.

Based on those holes, it appears that the short end fixes to the forward, head compartment side of the fiberglass on which the compression post rests. However, I don't see any corresponding point/hole to which it was attached. There is only a 2 in diameter hole through which mast wiring passed.

Can you help me with this? If so, might you have a pic of the installation?

[Be Free]

I love a good mystery but I've never seen a M25 and I'm not getting much from the pictures.

Here's where I'd start...

Everything has a purpose. Every hole and every bend is there for a reason.

The shoulder bolt will go through something a little thicker than the smooth part of the bolt. All of the shoulder will be inside something.

The washer will be under the head of the bolt and probably be against fiberglass. It's job is to spread out the load under the head. The nut will tighten against the bracket.

I don't see scratches where the lock nut will rest so it's either not very tight or it is tightened by holding the nut and tightening the bolt. That might mean that the nut is harder to get to than the head of the bolt. That may give you a clue about where it goes.

The same goes for the holes on the long part. Look for scratches or discoloration where something was attached. Those holes are not for decoration; something goes through them.

Of course all bets are off if it was installed by a previous owner.

Good luck and don't forget to tell us what you finally figure out.

[Justpics]

my guess it holds the compression post in place

[Wyb2]

Keel trunk support bracket.

The long bolt goes horizontally through the top of the keel trunk, above the swing arc of the top of the keel. The other two holes go to the bottom of the main bulkhead.

You can see it in this picture from when I was planning out my toilet.

IMG_1943.jpeg

[Wyb2]

Ah, I should have read the whole post. You already know where the long leg goes.

The long leg should pass right through that 2” hole with the wires and the short leg mount directly to the keel trunk. The bolt passes clear through to the other side of the trunk. There should be a plastic pop-out cover to access that side.

It’s hard to see, but strangely enough I actually have a picture of that end too. You can just see the edge of the 2” hole in the liner.

IMG_2801.jpeg

[Be Free]

We have a winner!

I know you already knew where that part went but just out of curiosity did any of my conjectures line up with reality?

[Seadoc]

Hey, y'all!

Thanks for the input re: the "mystery" strap from my '85 Mac 25.
The photos you posted were just the ticket! Today I returned the part to its assigned duty. It secures to the fwd side of the after head bulkhead and the short arm is bolted to the inside of the keel trunk housing just below the compression post.
I'll post a pic of my install tomorrow.

According to Todd at BW Yachts, the part is a "keel trunk strap."

And who said the internet is evil when it is a treasure trove of information which helps those of us afflicted with
sailor's disease.